200

Maya led me to the back of the palace, through a bookcase in the library and down a dark secret passageway.  I would remember this entrance at the back of the palace, hidden under a trellis of wisteria flowers. I tucked the route at the back of my mind for when I would need it in future. I was pretty sure I would.

We entered the private gardens of the Royal Family and Maya pulled me closer to her as we kept walking. The moon was full and bright, looking down on us from high above. Maya stopped and sat down on a beautifully carved bench close to a wooden bridge that had a small stream flowing underneath it.

“Where did you learn to fight like that?”

“My father trained me from a young age and it suited me well when I joined the Unit for further training.”

Maya’s eyes were a deep blue with specs of brown, an interesting mix. Her hair was chestnut brown and although she was on the short side, she exuded confidence and elegance. “The Elite Unit?”

“I was there for five years, hunting everyone deserving of death.” I could feel Echo respond to those words with gusto. He was itching for battle.

“It sounds intense but I can see that you were quite the hunter. If training isn’t for you, what would you want to do then?”

“I’m not really sure at this stage, I’m still fighting the bond with Cali, a bond that I don’t want.”

“It’s the first time ever hearing of someone that doesn’t want to bond.”

I looked at her for the first time and I saw the interest in her eyes. She was sincere with her questions. “It’s not that I don’t want to bond in the future, just not with her.”

“What is your perfect woman like then?”

“That’s a tough one but I’d have to say someone that is honest, sincere, open to new ideas, adventurous, likes the outdoors, trustworthy and most importantly someone that loves me for me, not because a bond tells them to.”

The easier answer to that question would be that the perfect woman for me was Ally. That realization hit me harder than my own confession that I was falling for her. I wasn’t just falling, I’d already fallen for her.

“Traits we all look for in someone.” Her voice was softer now and that made me wonder if she’d met her bonded half and he hadn’t added up to her expectations.

“So the perfect man for you would be adventurous, honest, sincere, open to new ideas, trustworthy and love you for you?” She smiled slowly as I said those words, perhaps even secretively.

“The perfect man for me would be like you.”

“Trust me, Princess, you don’t want someone like me.” Echo was strangely quiet but I could feel him empathizing with her.

She had a certain sadness that radiated from within that made you want to comfort her. I had been expecting a spoiled little rich girl that stomped her feet when she didn’t get what she wanted. Maya was nothing like that and it surprised me.

“Why not? You’re honest, adventurous, sincere, open to new ideas and I can tell that you’re trustworthy. I see the way you are with your sister, protective and caring. What’s not to like?”

“I’m also tainted with so much blood. I’ve killed more people than most will kill in a lifetime. I have no lair and no official rank, not much to offer someone of your stature.”

“My stature intimidates most people. My bonded half though was arrogant, greedy for a title and his only thoughts were how he could improve his own life through me.” I could hear the sadness in her voice and Echo pushed forward slightly.

“I’m sorry that happened to you. I know the feeling of being underestimated, Cali did it to me too. Thing is, you should forget your title and claim what your heart wants.”

“It’s not like I can pack a suitcase and go travel the world. I’ll always be the Dragon Princess with rules to follow and living my life according to my father’s wishes.”

“I get that too. I also believe that everything in our lives happens for a reason. You’ll meet the right person at the right time.”

“Will you escort me to my suite? I think I’ve had enough fresh air for one night.”

She tucked her arm into mine again as we walked back through the vast garden and inside the hidden door. The passageway seemed lighter now since we had just come from darkness and I pushed the bookcase away, slipping back into the library.

Maya led me upstairs to the third floor and down a hallway that carried the scents of the Royal Family. Their quarters were even more lavish than the second floor and we stopped in front of a door that was covered in Maya’s scent.

“Thank you for tonight, Wynter. I really appreciate it.”

She placed her hands on either side of my face, lowering it and kissing me on my cheek. I felt a sting at the back of my neck as she lowered her arms. My sight was dotted with black spots and I felt immensely dizzy for a few seconds and I closed my eyes.

“Wynter?” I opened my eyes and looked at Ally as she stood before me.

“Ally?” She smiled and her hands were on my abdomen. I didn’t know how she was here with me but I wasn’t going to complain.

Our mouths met and I kissed her like I hadn’t kissed her in years. It was like an addiction, her smell, her taste, her hands all over me. I pressed her against the wall and she responded to my every touch. She fumbled with the door behind her and she broke off the kiss.

I kicked the door closed behind me and picked her up as we continued our exploration of each other. She tugged on my shirt and I put her down as we started to undress one another. I watched her discard her clothes and smiled, she was mine, finally.

We lay facing each other as we kissed again, touching, feeling such intense emotions that Echo mumbled the word ‘love’ in my head. I pulled her on top of me and my hands roamed over her breasts. She lifted herself and I thrust inside her in one swift upward push.

Her head fit in perfectly beneath my jaw and I pulled her flush against me as we both sat up straight, moving together. I could feel every inch of her skin as it connected against mine and my eyes glowed yellow as her moans got louder.

My head pounded as I felt the breeze on my back. I gingerly opened my eyes as I lay on my stomach facing the window. I couldn’t remember drinking so much that the hungover feeling should torment me. Actually, I couldn’t remember anything after my walk in the garden with Maya.

The curtains were open as were the large sliding doors that opened up to a patio. I rolled over onto my back and stared at the chestnut head of hair right beside me. ‘Shit,’ I thought to myself. This couldn’t be happening.

I had just closed my eyes again when Maya shifted next to me and I turned my head towards her. “Morning.” She smiled at me and I felt the guilt creep in.

“What the hell happened last night?”

“We came back to my room and I thanked you for the walk and then you kissed me. I think I’m slightly offended right now that you can’t remember what we did.”

I took a deep breath as I ran a hand over my face and sat up swinging my legs down to the floor. I was naked, buck ass naked and so was she. I couldn’t believe that I had sex with the Princess. “I don’t remember anything after being in the garden with you.”

“This is not how I imagined my first time would be like.” Great. This was going to come back and bite me in the ass, I just knew it.

“Did we at least use protection?”

“No.”

“Damn it.” I felt her hands on my back, sliding over my skin up to my shoulders and she leaned her head down next to mine.

“I thought you wanted this, wanted me. Last night you took charge and I let you and now I just feel used.” Her voice was just a whisper but it rang loud and clear inside my head.

“I’m sorry, Maya. I didn’t plan for this to happen. I don’t know why I kissed you, I can’t remember anything.”

She moved away from me and I looked over my shoulder at her. She stood up, letting the sheet fall to the floor. The satin robe hugged her body but for a fleeting moment I remembered a glimpse of her on top of me.

“You should go.” She still had her back to me and I pulled on the black dress pants that I had worn the previous evening.

“Was it really your first time?”

“Check the sheets if you don’t believe me.” Her eyes held pain as she looked at me and she walked back to the bed and pulled the duvet off. The evidence of her virginity stared me in the eye and in my mind Echo fainted.

She didn’t wait for a reply and the bathroom door closed with a soft thud. I grabbed my shirt and walked out of her suite still buttoning it. The jacket was on over my shirt and I looked both ways, sighing with relief that the hallway was clear.

I had just reached the banister of the stairs when I smelled King Florin’s scent. I turned around slowly and bowed my head as he stood a few feet in front of his suite door. His eyes flashed yellow and he walked purposefully towards me.

“Good morning, my King.” I looked up and couldn’t decipher the look in his eyes.

“After breakfast we shall speak of why you smell like my daughter.”

“Yes, my King.”

He turned towards another hallway and I went down the stairs to the second floor and I let out a breath of relief when I closed the suite door behind me and leaned against it. I rubbed both hands over my face knowing that my fate had already been sealed.

“Where the hell have you been all night?” Abigail was looking accusingly at me with just a hint of worry.

“Nowhere. Give me ten minutes then I’ll be ready to go to breakfast with you.”

I ignored the way she kept looking at me and closed my bedroom door behind me and stripped off my clothes. The shower was as hot as I could bear it and very quick. It was barely seven minutes later when I joined Abigail in the sitting room of the suite.

“Did something happen?” She was concerned now, I just wasn’t sure how concerned she needed to be.

“I’ll tell you after my meeting with King Florin.”

“What meeting?”

“A meeting he requested after breakfast. Stop worrying over everything.” I sighed audibly not because I was irritated with her line of questioning but because I couldn’t believe what an idiot I’d been.

“I love you, Wynter.”

“I love you too, Abby, just trust me okay.”

“Okay. When do you think the King will make the announcement?” Her hands shook lightly from nerves and I took them in my own and smiled at her. I squeezed her hands lightly and she smiled at me, not her usual bright, happy smile, just a smile to accept my support. She had no idea that I would go to the ends of the earth for her and I would.

“It doesn’t matter, Abby. You are safe now, engaged to Nicu is the safest option for now.” She nodded and I slung my arm over her shoulder as we left the suite and headed back to the stairs.

“Should I ask for the most expensive ring and gown for my wedding?” I smiled as she looked innocently at me and pouted her lips.

“There’s nothing they wouldn’t give you up until the wedding, to placate you, keep you playing nice with everyone.” She chuckled at that and I offered her my arm.

We walked arm in arm to the dining room and took our seats just as the King and Queen entered together. We bowed our heads again and King Florin nodded at me. I took it to mean that he wasn’t going to say anything before we had our meeting and for that I was grateful.